Connections of Irish stayer Thomas Hobson need to find a replacement jockey for the Melbourne Cup after Joao Moreira suffered a heavy fall from Regal Monarch in the $120,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities Plate (2800m).
Joao Moerira, above, will miss his ride on Thomas Hobson in the 2017 Melbourne Cup after suffering a heavy fall earlier in the day. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
Regal Monarch fell shortly after the field entered the straight and even though Moreira hit the ground hard he was able to walk back to the ambulance before making his way back to the jockey’s room with a slight limp.
The Willie Mullins trained Thomas Hobson is currently rated a $21 for the Group 1 $6.25m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington today and will be having his first run since finishing second in the Group 2 £100,000 Doncaster Cup (3599m) at Doncasteer in England on September 15.
English stayer Marmelo is the firming $7 favourite ahead of last year’s winner Almandin at $9 with Ladbroks.com.au.
